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Royals drive Kings to the edge
Malhotra, Randhir opt out of IOA delegation
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India in line for six medals
Rapper who was once an int’l cricketer
ICC clarifies stand on Sivaramakrishnan’s appointment
Kolkata get the better of Pune
RCB should beware of nothing-to-lose Delhi
Rasool makes IPL debut, first from valley
Serena sails into quarters
Spurs hold Chelsea with late strike
Vijay sues PGA Tour on dope issue
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Royals drive Kings to the edge
Mohali, May 9 A fine all-round performance helped the visiting side defeat the hosts, taking their total tally to 18 points, and making their way into the playoffs smooth. Bowling first, Rajasthan Royals’ Kevon Cooper claimed three wickets — that of Adam Gilchrist, David Miller and Shaun Marsh — and this helped the visitors halt the home team’s momentum. Later, Ajinkya Rahane, leading from the front, scored an unbeaten 59 off 49 balls (three fours and three sixes). He was aided by youngster Sanju Samson’s 47 off 32 (five fours and a six) as the two chased down the target comfortably. The duo stood for a 76 run partnership for the third wicket. Batting first, Kings XI received an early jolt when Mandeep Singh was out for duck, gifting his wicket to Ajit Chandila after playing only two balls. Then, joined by Shaun Marsh, skipper Adam Gilchrist stabilised their position by building a 100-run partnership for the second wicket. The duo with an average run rate of 9.65 runs per over scored 50 runs in six overs. The Australian pair continued to smash boundaries and trouble the bowling attack of the Royals. Shaun Marsh completed his half-century off 44 balls. At the other end, Gilchrist scored 42 runs, his highest score of this IPL season. When the pair was looking good to guide the team towards a respectable total, Gilchrist lofted the ball straight back to the bowler, Cooper, in the 13th over. With two wickets down at 102, the following batsmen could add only 43 runs, setting a low target of 146 runs. David Hussey (1), David Miller (8), Manpreet Gony (3) returned to pavilion cheaply while R Satish (4) and Piyush Chawla (1) remained unbeaten. Marsh topped the team’s score chart before being claimed by Cooper, with a fine contribution of 77 off 64 balls, including six boundaries and two sixes. He was dropped on 74 by Rahul Dravid off Copper at covers. For Rajasthan Royals, Cooper took 3 for 23, while Chandila, Shane Watson and James Faulkner claimed a wicket each. Chasing the target, Rajasthan Royals opened with Rahane and Dravid but like their rivals the team also had a poor start. The skipper completely missed a delivery by Bipul Sharma that cost his wicket. Dravid contributed only four runs. Later, Rahane along with Shane Watson took the scor to 71 runs before Watson (31 runs including three boundaries and one six ) was bowled by Piyush Chawla in the 10th over. During his international career, Adam Gilchrist developed a reputation as a “walker”, but when Ajit Chandila made an appeal for his wicket in the third over of the innings, Gilchrist was incensed. Shaun Marsh had hit the ball to mid-on and, on seeing the ball fielded there, Gilchrist was on his way back into his crease at the non-striker's end, when the incoming throw hit him on the glove. As he fended the ball, Gilchrist had taken his bat out of the crease and Chandila broke the stumps. KXIP, with five wins from twelve games, must win all their remaining four matches to give themselves a glimmer of a hope of making the playoffss. Scoreboard Kings XI Punjab
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Malhotra, Randhir opt out of IOA delegation
New Delhi, May 9 Malhotra and Randhir Singh have opted out because of the IOC’s decision to consider “the request from a significant number of national sports federations to include also the names of Mr Batra (hockey) and Mr Anand (weightlifting), in order to give a reasonable opportunity for the different views of the national federation members of the suspended IOA, to be expressed and heard”. Interestingly, R.K.Anand has nothing to do with the wrestling body, but represents the Jharkhand Olympic Association. Malhotra, as the sole IOC-recognized acting president of the IOA, had sent the names of a four-member delegation to IOC president Jacques Rogge on May 3 for the May 15 meeting, which had categorically stated that the list “should be treated as the only official/authorized communication of the IOA regarding the composition of the delegation for the meeting”. The names in the Malhotra panel, headed by him, included Squash Rackets Federation of India president N Ramachandran, who is also the treasurer of the elected IOA body, Archery Association of India senior vice-president Tarlochan Singh and S. Raghunathan of the Indian Kayaking and Canoeing Association. Randhir Singh would have attended the meeting as an IOC member from India while the Ministry would have been represented by Sports Minister Jitendra Singh, Sports Secretary P.K.Deb and players’ representative Abhinav Bindra. But the IOA, headed by Abhay Singh Chautala, wanted to include Hockey India secretary-general Narinder Batra and Jharkhand Olympic Association president R.K.Anand as well. It is learnt that Batra and Deb have already reached Lausanne ahead of the May 15 meeting, and Malhotra and Randhir pulled out due to the unilateral decision of the IOC. It is reliably learnt that the Olympic Council of India will also skip the meeting while N. Ramachandran, who is reportedly unwell, may cry off too. “I am sorry to say that after seeing the composition of the Indian delegation, I will not be attending the meeting”, Randhir Singh informed Jerome Poivey of the NOC Relations Department, in an e-mail message yesterday. The IOC had suspended the IOA following elections to the Indian Olympic body on December 5 last year, to elect new office-bearers in accordance with the Sports Code at the direction of the Delhi High Court. The IOC, however, did not approve of the elections, as it contended that the IOA elections were in violation of the Olympic Charter, and newly elected president Abhay Singh Chautala and secretary-general Lalit Bhanot would be persona non-grata. The IOC notified the Indian Government and the National Sports Federations that it had suspended the newly elected IOA, and it would continue to deal with only acting president Vijay Kumar Malhotra and secretary-general Randhir Singh. (Malhotra was nominated as the acting president before the London Olympics last year, following the arrest of Suresh Kalmadi for his alleged role in the Commonwealth Games scandal).
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India in line for six medals
New Delhi, May 9 India were assured of two medals in women’s doubles, two in women’s singles and one in men’s doubles, besides in the mixed doubles event. Soumyajit Ghosh and Mouma Das can at least win a silver when they entered the mixed doubles final, upsetting top seeds Yang Zi and Yu Mengyu of Singapore at 11-9, 11-6, 12-10. They will face-off against the Singapore pair of Zhan Jian and Zhou Yihan in the title clash. Mouma also entered the women’s singles and doubles semifinals to ensure at least a bronze each. She defeated England’s Joanna Parker 3-1 in the women’s singles and combined with K. Shamini to sail past the Malaysian duo of Lee Wei Beh and Sock Khim NG in the women’s doubles at 11-3, 10-12, 11-7, 11-7 while Neha Agarwal and Madhurika Patkar eased out compatriots Divya Deshpande and Pooja Sahasrabudhe at 12-10, 11-4, 11-3.
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Rapper who was once an int’l cricketer
Mohali, May 9 Hardevinder Singh Sandhu is one of them. A promising opening bowler for India Under-19 against England in Vishakhapatanam and then graduated to Punjab Ranji side in 2005 flickered for a while at Mohali and was then lost, never to find a mention again. On Thursday eveing, Sandhu resurfaced at PCA Stadium, Mohali. This time, in a new avataar, one as Hardy Singh — the teenage sensation and a fast rising rapper — famous for his Punjabi chart topping numbers 'Sanu Ashiqi Da Loan Chai Da' 'Tequila Shot'. If you don't recognize ask any teenager he will let you know, how the 26-year-old is trending these days on facebook and twitter. From the wiry Hardevinder on field to the jazzy Hardy with spikes on, it has just been a matter of just six years. As is often the case with fast bowlers, injuries are their bane and Sandhu too was not spared. An elbow injury and an accompanying nagging pain for years forced him to quit. The Patiala lad did not brood for long and recently came out with a music album — This is Hardy Sandhu. Reads a bit flashy, but sounds just fine. Hardevinder once 'official' player-cum-singer of Punjab Ranji team is now hit with teenagers across the Punjab as well. His team mate Kunwar Raina says," Hardy is friends with all the Punjab players in the Kings XI Punjab team. During our Ranji days, when we used to get bored in the dressing room we would request him to sing and he would go on and on and on..." His passion for singing saw him release his debut album in December 2012, not stopping at just that, Sandhu on Thursday returned to the PCA Stadium. This time cutting through a beeline of teammates, he regaled the IPL crowds with his sugary voice. "He was a good fast bowler I was surprsied when he quit abruptly. I think he should have played more, opined Patiala coach Maheshinder Singh Sodhi. When Sodhi says he should have played more, he is talking about the four-day format but youngsters nowadays chase instant salvation. Life for them is hardwork along with some song and dance. Having done his bit in cricket, Hardy, the quintessential Punjabi with a penchant for singing, has now taken to song and dance now.
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ICC clarifies stand on Sivaramakrishnan’s appointment
Dubai, May 9 Mr. Sivaramakrishnan, who is employed by the BCCI as a commentator, replaced Tim May on the ICC cricket committee, an appointment that attracted criticism from various quarters. “In January this year, because of confusion in the voting process for such representatives (for example, in respect to what should happen in the case of a tied vote and, where teams had different captains for different formats of the game, which captain should be entitled to vote), the ICC Board considered the matter carefully, and following clarification of the process to be followed, decided that another vote should be taken,” ICC said in a statement. “Subsequent to the re-vote, the ICC is concerned to note a number of factual inaccuracies appearing in the media in respect of the results of the voting and the underlying basis for the Board decision that a re-vote was necessary, as well as unsupported allegations of impropriety in the voting process,” it added. The furore over the former India spinner’s appointment was caused following allegations that BCCI forced a re-vote to get Mr. Sivaramakrishnan on the committee after May won the initial vote 9-1. The ICC stated that it would not make any further comment regarding the issue. — PTI
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Kolkata get the better of Pune Pune, May 9 Angelo Mathews scored 40, while Robin Uthappa made 31 in the losing cause. For Kolkata, Balaji (3/19), Iqbal Abdulla (2/26) and Jacques Kallis (2/27) helped win the match. Kolkata Knight Riders, practically out of the tournament and essentially playing for pride, were off to a good start when Gautam Gambhir and Manvinder Bisla added 45 runs for the first wicket in just 5.2 overs. Gambhir was the more aggressive of the two batsmen, 31 in the partnership. Bisla fell when, trying to attack Bhuvneshwar Kumar, he missed the ball and was out stumped. Brief scores Kolkata Knight Riders: 152/6 in 20 overs (Gambhir 50, Doeschate 31, Tiwary 15;Kumar 3/40, Marsh 2/7) Pune Warriors: 106 all out in 19.3 overs (Mathews 40, Uthappa 31; Balaji 3/19, Narine 2/12). — TNS
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RCB should beware of nothing-to-lose Delhi
New Delhi, May 9 In a complete contrast to their last year's performance, Delhi have not looked even a pale shadow of themselves. With nine defeats from 12 matches, it has only gone from bad to worse for the home side. In the current scenario, however, they can play without any pressure. There is no burden of expectations on the misfiring batters and out-of-sorts bowlers. They now have nothing to lose and can just go on to play party-poopers. Delhi's top order has failed for inexplicable reasons. Neither Virender Sehwag nor captain Mahela Jayawardene have lived up to their reputations. Australian left-hander David Warner is the only one who has done his bit. Bangalore, who may still be recovering from a rude David Miller shock, cannot afford to take a step wrong as the fight for the play-offs is tight. Sitting at the top, Chennai Super Kings are almost assured of a berth in the knock-out stage but there is a close battle among Mumbai Indians, Bangalore, Sunrisers Hyderabad and Rajasthan Royals for the remaining three slots for the play-offs. In their last four matches at the league stage, Bangalore play three against teams already out of the race -- Delhi, Kolkata Knight Riders and Kings XI Punjab. So, before they clash with strong contenders Chennai in their last match on May 18 before the play-offs, Bangalore would look to consolidate their position in these matches.Batting is not a worry for Bangalore. They have been consistently scoring in the vicinity of 200 while batting first and have chased the targets easily with Chris Gayle in his explosive best form. But the way they were blown away by the Miller storm in their last match against Kings XI Punjab, bowling is certainly a concern for them. For the four matches in a row, the Bangalore side have conceded more than 170 runs — against Kings XI Punjab, Rajasthan, Pune Warriors and Mumbai Indians. — PTI
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Rasool makes IPL debut, first from valley
Pune, May 9 After spending time on the sidelines for 12 matches, the 24-year-old batting all-rounder, finally found a place in the playing XI of Pune Warriors ahead of their match against Kolkata Knight Riders here. Rasool replaced leg-spinner Rahul Sharma to earn his maiden IPL cap. The unassuming player from the valley shot to limelight with a seven-wicket haul against visiting Austrlians while playing for the Board President's XI earlier this year. Rasool, a day ahead of his 24th birthday, spun a web around the Aussies with impressive figures of seven for 45 for the Board President's XI on a pitch that offered the slow bowlers assistance. A month before that, the all-rounder was included in the 14-member India A squad to play in a warm-up one-day match against England in Delhi. The call-ups were rewards for his strong showing with both bat and ball in J&K's otherwise disappointing run in the last Ranji Trophy season. — PTI Smith to miss Champions Trophy
South Africa opener Graeme Smith has been ruled out of next month's Champions Trophy with a left ankle injury, the country's cricket board said on Thursday. Smith, South Africa's Test captain, has had long-term problems with his left ankle and needed surgery in the past but the injury flared up again in the home one-day international series against Pakistan in March. The 32-year-old was playing for Surrey but would return home after scans in London on Wednesday showed a stress fracture to the troublesome ankle, Cricket South Africa said in a statement. The left-handed batsman would require surgery and could need up to six months to return to the field again, team manager Mohammed Moosajee said. Graeme has been troubled by left ankle pain. — Reuters |
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Madrid, May 9 Williams needed a little more than an hour to defeat Maria Kirilenko 6-3, 6-1, after Sharapova got past Sabine Lisicki of Germany 6-2, 7-5. Top-ranked Williams dominated Kirilenko, who dropped the first set with one of several unforced errors. The defending champion also used a strong serve and return game, working the 12th-ranked Russian back and forth on the baseline of the red clay court with her precise forehand drives. “I just felt really relaxed, like I was taking my time,” Williams said. “I had been missing my serve when I was hitting it harder, so I took some pace off and didn’t hit as hard as I usually do. “It was easy because when you take off pace you don’t hit as hard and don’t exhaust as much energy. And hitting a serve or a winner are both fun.” Williams will face Anabel Medina Garrigues of Spain, who reached the quarterfinals after Yaroslava Shvedova withdrew with a right arm injury. The 15-time Grand Slam winner called Medina Garrigues a “grinder” and predicted a “tough match” in front of the Spanish crowd. Williams beat Sharapova in the quarterfinals last year en route to the title. This year they are on opposite sides of the bracket, meaning they could only meet in the final. Nadal in control
Rafael Nadal cruised into the Madrid Open quarterfinals with a 6-2, 6-3 victory over Mikhail Youzhny that featured an attractive array of shots on Thursday. Having already established control by stealing Youzhny’s second service game, Nadal kept a point alive with a deft no-look backhand flick before nailing a winner down the line to hold his serve and delight his fans. The fifth-ranked Spaniard then broke Youzhny again by dinking the ball over the net while on the run, giving it so much backspin it twisted away from the Russian. Fittingly, Nadal polished off the third-round match by chasing down a ball and returning it cross-court. Nadal, who is searching for his seventh straight final since returning from injury, improved to 28 wins and two losses on the year. He will next play either David Ferrer or Tommy Haas. Tomas Berdych defeated Kevin Anderson of South Africa 7-6 (5), 7-5, to make the final eight, while Pablo Andujar also advanced after Spaniard Daniel Gimeno-Traver retired. — Agencies |
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Ferguson to be replaced by Moyes at Man United
London, May 9 Moyes, who announced earlier that he would be leaving Everton after 11 years there, was the hot favourite to take over from his fellow Scot at Old Trafford and was recommended by Ferguson for the post. “When we discussed the candidates that we felt had the right attributes we unanimously agreed on David Moyes,” Ferguson, who is staying at United as an ambassador and director, said in a statement. “David is a man of great integrity with a strong work ethic. I’ve admired his work for a long time and approached him as far back as 1998 to discuss the position of Assistant Manager here. “He was a young man then at the start of his career and has since gone on to do a magnificent job at Everton. There is no question he has all the qualities we expect of a manager at this Club.” Moyes will start his new job on July 1, taking over from Britain’s most successful manager who is retiring at the end of the season after winning two Champions Leagues, 13 league titles, five FA Cups in more than 26 years at United. Everton had earlier confirmed that Moyes would be leaving, saying the Scot had told chairman Bill Kenwright that he wanted to join United. “The chairman, on behalf of the club, would like to place on record his thanks to David for the massive contribution he has made to Everton since his arrival in March 2002,” Everton said in a statement. — Reuters
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Spurs hold Chelsea with late strike
London, May 9 The Iceland international shot low past Petr Cech on 80 minutes to deny Chelsea, who were twice ahead, a victory that would have effectively guaranteed the hosts a top four finish and Champions League football next season. With two matches remaining, third-placed Chelsea remain in pole position on 69 points, followed by Arsenal (67) and Spurs (66). Chelsea went ahead on 10 minutes through Oscar’s close-range header but a stunning Emmanuel Adebayor strike from 25 metres hauled Spurs level 16 minutes later. Ramires rifled Chelsea back in front six minutes before halftime but Spurs finished strongly and Sigurdsson struck from Adebayor’s cushioned back-heeled layoff. Spurs have still not won at Stamford Bridge since 1990. Andre Villas-Boas, booed by Chelsea fans on his return to west London after he was sacked by Roman Abramovich in March last year after less than nine months in charge, acknowledged Spurs face an uphill task to get back among the continent’s elite. “The result did not quite turn out how we wanted it and our situation changes slightly because now our fate is not in our own hands and we have to rely on others to slip up,” the Portuguese told reporters. “Anything can happen. The Premier League is completely unpredictable. These next fixtures before the emotional last day of the season can be decisive.” Chelsea visit Aston Villa on Saturday before hosting Everton on the final day on May 19, Arsenal are at home to Wigan on Tuesday and finish at Newcastle while Spurs play away at Stoke on Sunday and then welcome Sunderland to White Hart Lane. “We have to win one game to guarantee top four, we will try to win both to be in the top three,” said Chelsea interim manager Rafael Benitez. “We had chances to score the third goal on the counter-attack we had chances to kill it. It was an open game, it was good for the fans, but not for us. “Their second goal was offside but still, we had to defend it better. We controlled the game but we ran out of legs, we were tired, especially in the wide areas.” — Reuters
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Vijay sues PGA Tour on dope issue
Ponte Vedra Beach, May 9 Three-times major winner Singh was initially found by the PGA Tour to have breached the sport’s doping rules after using a spray, which contains a banned substance, to treat an injury but he was later cleared of any wrongdoing after winning an appeal. He filed a lawsuit in the Supreme Court of the State of New York on Wednesday, and issued a statement saying the PGA Tour had damaged his reputation. “I am proud of my achievement, my work ethic and the way I live my life,” Singh said. “The PGA Tour not only treated me unfairly, but displayed a lack of professionalism.” Although he never failed a drugs test, Singh was deemed to have breached golf’s rules on doping when he told Sports Illustrated earlier this year he had used deer antler spray to address knee and back problems. — Reuters
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Rajasthan Royals, in complete control right from winning the toss, cruised to a straightforward eight-wicket win over Kings XI Punjab here on Thursday.
Mohali, May 9
Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova reached the quarterfinals at the Madrid Open on Thursday, with the two top-ranked players winning in straight sets.
Williams needed a little more than an hour to defeat Maria Kirilenko 6-3, 6-1, after Sharapova got past Sabine Lisicki of Germany 6-2, 7-5.
Top-ranked Williams dominated Kirilenko, who dropped the first set with one of several unforced errors. The defending champion also used a strong serve and return game, working the 12th-ranked Russian back and forth on the baseline of the red clay court with her precise forehand drives.
London, May 9
